Closing arguments were heard in the case against Mr Danis Sihlahla Nkambule (45) on Wednesday. He is accused of raping the girl in her home in Pienaar in 2012.

Prosecutor Mr Thulani Msibi said Nkambule was a friend of the family. He was caught by an eyewitness who walked into the room as Nkambule was pulling up his trousers.

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Msibi added that the child’s mother noticed that her daughter could not walk properly the next day. “She examined the child and saw that her private parts were damaged,” Msibi said.

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The mother reported the matter to police. Magistrate Ms Vanessa Joubert postponed the matter for judgement to April 24